Fall 2012/Pasadena
ST501
García-Johnson

ST501: TEOLOGÍA SISTEMÁTICA I: TEOLOGÍA Y ANTROPOLOGÍA. Oscar García-Johnson.


DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to provide a foundational understanding of Christian beliefs about revelation and Scripture; the triune God; creation and providence; human beings as the image of God; and the Fall, evil, and sin. Corollary current issues, such as Latin American trinitarianism, Latino/a theological anthropology, human beings as male and female, ecology, and the relationship of Christian tradition to emerging religiosities will be discussed. On the basis of biblical and socio-historical developments, a continental Evangelical-Latino/a theology will be articulated in dialogue with ecumenical and intercultural approaches and traditional spiritualities.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Christianity, as experienced and expressed within the religious geography of Latino/a communities, is multicontextual, multicultural, economically and socially challenging, in constant growth, and popular in character. Naturally then a sound biblico-doctrinal formation informed by traditional and contextual theological views and endowed by a domestic spirituality are vital for any ministry worker interested in impacting these communities and their greater contexts.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have demonstrated (1) a foundational knowledge of the central doctrines of Christianity, particularly: revelation and Scripture; the Trinity; creation and providence; the image of God in humanity; the Fall, evil, and sin; (2) an understanding of the interrelated character of these doctrines as experienced and expressed within Latino/a religious communities; (3) an acquaintance with an ecumenical environment disclosing a range of cultural and historical variations informing a diverse and yet common ground for the practice of these Christian beliefs; (4) an ability to reflect theologically upon contemporary and controversial themes, particularly, communal trinitarianism, human sexuality, ecology, and emerging cultures; (5) an integrated experience where doctrine and spiritual practices forge a domestic- based spirituality for Latino/a ministry.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet weekly for three-hour sessions. Students are expected to study beforehand the required readings for the week and take part in assigned presentations.

REQUIRED READING:

Barth, Karl. Esbozo de Dogmática. Sal Terrae, 2000 (77 pgs). ISBN: 8429313761. (Prices unavailable at this time.)

Foster, Richard, y B. Smith., eds. Devocionales clásicos. Mundo Hispano, 2004 (50 pgs). ISBN: 0311400698. $19.

Gesché, Adolphe. El Mal. Sígueme, 2002 (170 pgs). ISBN: 9788430112524. $26.

González, Justo L. Teología Liberadora. Kairos, 2006 (229 pgs). ISBN: 9879403916. $20.

Gunton, Colin. Unidad, Trinidad y Pluralidad. Sígueme, 2006 (286 pgs). ISBN: 9788430115808. $19.60.

Vanhoozer, Kevin. El Drama de la Doctrina. Sígueme, 2010 (260 pgs). ISBN: 9788430117390.

Course Reader (readings on Moltmann and a number of Latin American articles, 150 pgs).

RECOMMENDED READING:
González, Justo L. Breve historia de las doctrinas cristianas. Abingdon, 2007. ISBN: 9780687490905. $20.

Horton, Stanley. Teología Sistemática. Vida, 1996. ISBN: 9780829721454. $25.99.

Pedraja, Luis. Teología: An Introduction to Hispanic Theology. Abingdon, 2003. ISBN: 9780687090648. $22.

Zaldívar, Raúl. Teología Sistemática desde una perspectiva latinoamericana. Clie, 2006 (200 pgs). ISBN: 9788482674681. $19.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: (1) Students will prepare 5 two-page critical-reaction papers based on the reading (25%). (2) Collaborative-spirituality: Each week students will reflect upon a devotional classic, post their impressions in Moodle, and interact with two members of their group (10%). (3) A three-page theological research project (15%). (5) A Personal Creedal Document (of doctrines discussed in this course), 8 pages (30%). (6) A Final [case study] Exam (20%).

PREREQUISITES: Spanish.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Systematic Theology "a" (STA); meets program requirement for MATM or MAT (effective Winter 2010).

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (July 2012)